TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Taking yet another dig at his own government, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has asked the State government to suspend its order on the revised land rates, as it would affect the common people in the State.
Addressing a press conference in Calangute on Saturday, Lobo criticized his own government’s decision on the land rates to determine the true market value of the properties in the State.
Alleging that there had been gross arbitrary decisions while fixing land rates especially in the interior villages, Lobo requested the government to withhold its order which is causing huge financial burden to the common people and to carry out a detailed study to work out and revise the land rates.
“The revenue department in its order dated December 26, 2012, has revised the minimum land rates with effect from January 2013, causing much inconvenience to the local people as one has to pay an exorbitant stamp duty and registration fees,” said Lobo.
“The exorbitant increase in land rates crossed my mind while purchasing a plot of land at Guirim, for which the land rate has been revised from Rs 500 to Rs 5000. Similarly, the land rates for villages like Arpora, Marra-Pilerne, Sangolda, Saligao and Paliem have been hiked beyond imagination.”
“The revision in land rates for villages like Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Nerul has also been arbitrary. The villages of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Nerul should be revised on a ward-wise basis, like the way it has been done for Margao area. The present rates have, perhaps, been revised on the basis of sale deeds and it needs a thorough study,” Lobo said.
“The land rates should be finalised considering the pros and cons of the area and the ground reality. Can we justify the revision of land rates for Nerul, Guirim, Verla, Colvale, Pilerne, Marna-Siolim, Sangolda, Saligao, Arpora, Nagoa,” questioned Lobo.
“A large family will have to pay lakhs of rupees in terms of stamp duty fees and registration even while going for a gift deed or the Mundkars may end up paying huge sums if they go in for a settlement through purchases with their landlords.”
“The revised arbitrary land rates would have a considerable financial burden on the common people in the State. I urge the government to keep its order in abeyance and to study the matter thoroughly and to finalize the land rates accordingly for the entire state,” added Lobo.
